By Deogratius Mwalamoyo

The Japanese Government has said it is committed to improve maternal health in Malawi through different projects.

Speaking during ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a maternity wing at Nsipe Health Center in Ntcheu District, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Malawi Hirotsugu Ikeda said the government of Japan remains committed to supporting development efforts in Malawi.

“Lack of access to proper pregnancy care increases the risk for complications during delivery and also increases the risk of maternal and infant deaths,” Ikeda said.

He said that it is his hope that maternity wing will become a beacon of hope and motivations, not only to the expectant mothers but the nurses and workers at Nsipe Health Center.

Ikeda added that as a result more pregnant women in the surround area will be encouraged to seek medical assistance and deliver at the health center.

In her remarks, the administer of the hospital Sister Josephine Gowelo commended the Japanese Embassy  to Malawi for the project which she said it will help to end up a lot of challenges they have been faced.

“We have been faced a lot of challenges due to lack of enough space in our maternity and we are happy today because this project will help to end up those challenges,” Gowero said.

The contraction of a maternity wing is expected to cost about 70 million Malawi Kwacha and it will serve a catchment population of 25,000 people; however the contraction project it is expected to be completed in 5 months.

Nsipe Heath Center was established in 1972 under the Catholic Church.